Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Fuller House’s Elias Harger

If you’ve seen (or, in our case, binge-watched) each season of Fuller House, then you’ll know Elias Harger as Max, DJ’s precocious middle son. He’s made you laugh, smile, and tugged at your heartstrings with his energetic and endearing performance—and can you believe Elias is only eleven-years-old?!


Performing since the age of five, he’s practically a seasoned actor at this point. He’s done everything from commercials to musical theater productions like Shrek: The Musical to films like Popsy and The Arrival. His star is on the rise, and it’s only going to get brighter. So, needless to say, we were excited to chat with him about the upcoming season of Fuller House.

PC: What can fans expect from season four of Fuller House and what you can you tease about Max’s storyline?
Elias: Fans can expect to see more heartwarming storylines. They’re focusing more on parenting issues than in previous seasons. In season four, Max has developed some fun hobbies, and he introduces a new friend this season. There’s also a very special guest in the first episode. I can’t say who it is, but I’m very excited for everyone to find out who it is!

PC: When you look back at the past four season, is there a moment that sticks out to you the most and why?
Elias: One scene that sticks out to me is D.J. and Steve’s wedding in Japan. In that scene, Kimmy gives them the ring, but I was actually supposed to be the ring bearer. Right before, I sat on one of those bamboo-shaped poles on the fence and fell backwards. I hit my head on a rock and had to get three stitches, so I ended up missing the scene. It was the first time in my life that I ever got stitches; it was terrifying.

PC: This is your first TV series. What’s been the most surprising part about being on this show and what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Elias: It’s a lot of work, but I love it. When you watch a television show, you see the 30-minute episode with the lines rolling so naturally and everything flowing easily. In reality, though, it’s four days of work and, at least for me, nine hours each day. The script changes constantly and by the end of the week, what the audience gets to see could be completely different from the beginning of the week when we had the first table read. On Fridays, we have the live taping with an audience and even on those days we could still be changing up lines!

PC: What has Max taught you?
Elias: That I really, really, really don’t like vests. [laughs] But, in all seriousness, there are a few things that Max could teach all of us! We need to take better care of the environment and care about the world. It’s also nice to be tidy and school can be fun!

PC: Now that you’re in your fourth season, does the cast have any on-set rituals or traditions?
Elias: Before a show, we all form a little circle, hold hands, and get really loud and scream and make really weird noises just to get our energy up!

PC: If you could write Max a storyline, what would it be?
Elias:: It would be that he goes through an identity crisis where something happens that makes him question who he is! Maybe it could be that he tries to be the coolest kid and stops wearing vests, but at the end of the day, like how Fuller House works, he’d figure out that it’s okay to be who he is and that there’s no need to try to be someone you aren’t because it’s better to be yourself.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Favorite TV show?
Elias: Arrow

PC: Favorite movie?
Elias: Dumbo

PC: Favorite book?
Elias: The Hunger Games trilogy. I love The Hunger Games trilogy. I’m actually on the last book, Mockingjay, right now.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Elias: I recently saw A Bronx Tale. It was really cool, but aside from that, I can’t really think of anything else.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Elias: Kansas

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Elias: Creeped Out on Netflix

PC: Hidden talent?
Elias: I have double-jointed thumbs.

Make sure to follow Elias on Twitter and Instagram, and binge-watch season four of Fuller House on December 14 on Netflix.

Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard